The stepping stones crossing the River Mole at Box Hill was reopened 80 years ago.
On 12 September 1946 The Times reported:
On the line of the Pilgrims’ Way, at the foot of Box Hill, at Burford Bridge, Dorking, the Prime Minister yesterday inaugurated a set of stepping stones across the River Mole.’
The location was a ford until 1841 when stones were placed in the water. However, these were dislodged and removed during the Second World War.
But soon after peace, the popular route was reopened on Wednesday 11 September 1946 by Prime Minister Clement Attlee who, after cutting a ribbon, stood on the stones midstream with his wife Violet.
The PM, battling with post-war issues, came at the invitation of his Home Secretary Chuter Ede who was personally funding the restoration.
Ede was an Open Spaces Society member and had known the crossing since he was a schoolboy in nearby Dorking.
Afterwards the guests were entertained at the nearby Stepping Stones pub then called The Railway Arms. It’s close to Westhumble & Box Hill station.
The Lord Mayor of London proposed a toast ‘The Open Spaces and footpaths of Surrey’.
The 11 September date appears to have been chosen as it was the Home Secretary’s birthday.
